Topical Janus Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Pediatric Alopecia Areata

In this study, six pediatric patients with alopecia areata (AA) were treated with topical Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, specifically tofacitinib and ruxolitinib in 1%-2% formulations. Four out of six patients showed some hair regrowth, with one patient experiencing 20% regrowth of eyebrows, another 75% regrowth of upper eyelashes, and two others achieving 95% and 80% regrowth of scalp hair. No serious adverse effects were reported, although two patients had mild laboratory abnormalities that normalized after three months. The study suggested that a liposomal base might be more effective than a nonliposomal base. The findings indicated that topical JAK inhibitors could be a promising treatment for AA, especially for children and patients with limited disease, but further clinical trials are needed to confirm their efficacy and determine optimal treatment protocols.